Black Friday

"CHICAGO, IL — A gunman shot a woman before turning the gun on himself Friday night in what police describe as a domestic-related shooting at the Nordstrom store on North Michigan Avenue.

"The man, whose age was not available, was targeting his `girlfriend or ex-girlfriend,` who was a seasonal employee at the department store, said John Escalante, chief of detectives for the Chicago Police Department.

"`She was working up on the second floor when he approached her, fired one shot, which struck her,` Escalante said on the scene. `He then turned the gun to himself and shot and killed himself.`

"Responders found the gunman dead when they arrived, and the woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, Escalante said.

"The crowded store was hurriedly emptied of holiday shoppers after the shooting, according to witnesses. The shooting happened about 8:30 p.m. Friday.

"`This is an active scene, an ongoing investigation, but again, I can tell you it is domestic-related,` Escalante said.

"According to court records, the gunman had petitioned to have a temporary restraining order issued against the woman for stalking. That petition was denied by a Cook County judge last April, court records show.

"According to the Nordstrom website, the store was open until 9 p.m."

From the Chicago Tribune...

Two Found Dead In Empty Health Club

"SOUTHGATE, MI — Police are still on the scene of what appears to be a murder/suicide at a health club in a shopping center.

"According to Public Safety Director Thomas Coombs, police were called to Downriver Gymnastics on 13777 Eureka Road at about 9:15 a.m. Monday after receiving an open 911 call.

"`An open 911 call is when no one is talking on the other end,` Coombs said.

"`The dispatcher could hear what they thought was someone arguing on the other end of the phone. They dispatched officers and upon arrival they discovered the bodies of a male and female in what appears to be a murder/suicide.

"`The female victim was an employee of the club.`

"According to police the two were the only people in the facility.

"`The door was locked and the owner came down and opened it up,` Coombs said.

"`It appears a handgun was used in the incident. We are with holding identification until next of kin can be notified.`

"The facility remains locked while detectives continue to process the scene."

From detroitnews.com...

Two Dead In YMCA Parking Lot

"COATESVILLE, PA — Police have identified the victim and alleged shooter involved in an apparent murder/suicide at a YMCA in Chester County.

"The victim has been identified as 41-year-old Jacinda Miller, a fitness instructor at the Brandywine YMCA. The shooter is identified as 42-year-old Dennis Cassel, who is described as Miller's estranged boyfriend.

"People who knew Jacinda Miller describe her as a fun-loving single mother of two who was quick with a smile, and always willing to help people in need.

"It was shortly after 6:00 p.m. Monday when gunfire was reported at the YMCA on the 200 block of Hurley Road in West Brandywine and the building was placed on lockdown.

"Authorities say Cassel showed up at the Brandywine YMCA where Miller worked and waited for her to arrive. When she did he reportedly jumped out of his vehicle, shot her once with a semi automatic handgun, and then kneeled next her body.

"When police arrived Cassel turned the gun on himself.

"Both were transported to Brandywine Hospital where they were pronounced dead from gunshot wounds."

From 6abc.com...

Two Dead In Boutique Shooting

"SAN CLEMENTE, CA — A man and woman were found dead Saturday afternoon inside a high-end boutique in downtown San Clemente after reports of a shooting, authorities said.

"A preliminary investigation indicated the deaths were the result of a murder/suicide, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said in a press release. A handgun was recovered at the scene.

"No one was being sought in connection with the incident, which occurred at Bliss Boutique, on 167 Avenida Del Mar, said sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Hallock.

"Deputies responded to the clothing store about 2:01 p.m. and were contacted by an employee who said a shooting was taking place inside the business, the OCSD said. The department’s SWAT and crisis-negotiation teams were then summoned to the scene.

"Erin Delaney said she was near the shop shortly after law-enforcement personnel arrived.

“`When we walked around the corner, we met the girl that was the one witness,` Delaney said. `She was talking to one of the police officers about how the man walked in with a briefcase and … walked to the owner, who was in the back. Then she heard six gunshots and grabbed her cellphone and ran.`

"About 2:40 p.m., specially-trained deputies entered the building and discovered the bodies of the man and woman, Hallock said. It was not immediately clear how the two people may have been related. Their names were not released, pending notification of family.

"The intersection of Avenida Del Mar and North Ola Vista was closed as an investigation continued."

From KTLA...

Workplace Shooting Caught On Pharmacy Video

"HOUSTON, TX — Houston police said a pharmacist and pharmacy technician died Wednesday afternoon in an apparent murder/suicide at Ben Taub hospital's outpatient pharmacy.

"According to investigators, surveillance video shows a 58-year-old man using a 9 mm handgun to shoot a younger female coworker in the back. She never saw him coming, police said.

"`She was standing at her work station when the suspect walks by and then is out of her range, she cannot see him and at that time that's when he discharges his weapon,` Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon said.

"The gunman then shot and killed himself, police said.

"Dozens of people were inside the pharmacy waiting to pick up prescriptions and reported hearing multiple gunshots.

"`First we thought it was a firecracker going off,` said Suzanne Dziema.

"Police said the shooter recently tried to start a relationship with the younger woman."

From click2houston.com...

Fired Worker Returns With A Gun

"BIRMINGHAM, AL — UPS has released the names of the victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting at a UPS facility on 4601 Inglenook Ln.

"Doug Hutcheson, a 33-year-old driver supervisor from Odenville and Brian Callans, a 46-year-old business manager from Birmingham were both killed by a former employee who then turned the gun on himself, according to a release from the company.

"Hutcheson had been employed at UPS since 1999 and Callans for 26 years.

"As we previously reported, 45-year-old Kerry Joe Tesney was recently fired from the UPS facility, but returned in uniform on Tuesday and shot and killed two supervisors before committing suicide.

"UPS released a statement on Wednesday saying Tesney had worked for the company as a driver for 21 years."

Source: Birmingham Business Journal...

Female Shooter Dead, Victim Taken To Hospital

"DENVER, CO — A mechanic at a road-paving company was taken to a hospital with a serious injury Tuesday night after a woman shot him and killed herself, according to officials.

"The injured man works at Rocky Mountain Pavement Company in Adams County, said president Danny Gryzmala.

"`It's just a shock,` Gryzmala said Wednesday morning just before holding a company meeting with many of his 180 employees who may have witnessed the shooting. `We're worried about our employees.`

"Investigators were continuing to investigate the circumstances of the shooting on 2001 West 64th Lane.

"It was reported at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.

"Authorities have not released details about the suspect.

"They also have withheld the names of the suspect and the victim, but the sheriff's office Wednesday evening said in a news release that it appeared the victim and the suspect were in a relationship.

"A sheriff's official said a KCNC online report that a woman entered the business and shot a man before shooting and killing herself was accurate."

From the Denver Post...

Closing Time

"BROCKPORT, PA — Police are investigating an overnight attempted homicide/suicide in Brockport, Elk County.

"Police [told reporters] that it happened around midnight at the Brockport Army & Navy Club.

"State police say 31-year-old Eric Carlson became upset with the bartender as she was trying to close the bar.

"An argument broke out between the two when the 20-year-old bartender attempted to get Carlson to leave.

"Police say Carlson shot the victim multiple times with a pistol.

"Police say he then shot himself.

"The victim, whose name has yet to be released, was flown to UPMC Altoona.

"Her condition is unknown at this time.

"Carlson died at the scene."

From weareCentralPA.com...

Estranged Couple Dead In Restaurant Shooting

"LOUISE, TX — Tashondra Roberts said she and her friend used to laugh a lot while sharing a day shift—maybe a little too much, their boss would say—at Mustang Creek Bar-B-Q.

"But that contagious laugh is exactly what co-workers said they'll remember about Fabiola Reyes.

"Reyes, 35, was shot and killed Sunday in the barbecue restaurant.

"Wharton County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to the restaurant just after 4 p.m. Sunday—minutes after it had closed for the day. They were responding to a shooting, according to a news release issued by the sheriff's office.

"Reyes' husband, Salvador Reyes, had entered the diner through the back door, and after having a short conversation with his wife in Spanish, he pulled out a handgun and shot Fabiola Reyes twice in the chest, according to the news release.

"Salvador Reyes, 42, then shot himself in the head, wrote Sgt. Scott Grosser in an email.

"`There was no disturbance or arguing before the incident,` Grosser wrote. `As far as we can tell, Reyes had no intention of harming anyone else at the restaurant.`

"Grosser said officials didn't know where Reyes obtained the gun, and it wasn't believed to be stolen. Grosser also said there wasn't a restraining order or protective order between the husband and wife; however, the couple had recently separated and were contemplating divorce, he said."

Read more at VictoriaAdvocate.com...

Three Dead In Parking Lot Shooting

"MONTICELLO, IN — Three people were shot dead in an apparent murder/suicide in the parking lot of an Indiana furniture makers on Tuesday morning.

"The bodies of a man and woman were found inside a parked car outside Jordan Manufacturing, and the body of a second man was found on the ground next to a hand gun.

"Police have not yet released their identities, but they confirmed that the woman had been an employee at the furniture plant.

"White County sheriff's department was called to reports of gunfire at about 11.30am at the family-owned patio furniture plant, which is about 70 miles northwest of Indianapolis.

"When they arrived, they discovered the woman suffering from serious injuries. She was rushed to hospital where she later died.

"White County Sheriff Patrick Shafer told JC Online that the two victims found in the car appeared to have been shot while in the driver's seat and front passenger seat.

"Police believe that the man who was found on the ground of the parking lot shot dead the second man and the woman, before turning the gun on himself.

"Staff at the family-run company were sent home early as detectives investigated the crime scene.

"According to the Jordan Manufacturing Twitter account, the company planned to reopen Wednesday, and have counselors on hand for staff."

From the Daily Mail...

Downsized Employee Shoots CEO, Self

"CHICAGO, IL — An executive with a Loop company, upset that he was being demoted, walked into the CEO's office on LaSalle Street this morning and shot him twice before turning the gun on himself, police said.

"Tony DeFrances, 59, was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head at the scene. His friend and CEO of ArrowStream, Steven LaVoie, 54, was shot in the head and abdomen and was in critical condition at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, authorities said.

"DeFrances had been told last Friday that he was being demoted as the company was downsizing, according to Chicago police Superintendent Garry McCarthy.

"He asked for a one-on-one meeting with LaVoie this morning in his 17th floor offices at 231 S. LaSalle St., McCarthy said. Workers heard shots around 9:55 a.m.

"`Apparently he was despondent over the fact that he got demoted,` McCarthy said of DeFrances."

Read more at the Chicago Tribune...

Killer Found Dead In Car

"COLUMBUS, GA — Authorities say a woman who was shot to death outside a Georgia state welfare office in Columbus was killed by her estranged husband.

"Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan says 44-year-old Tonya Moses-Charles of Phenix City, Ala., was fatally shot in a parking lot of the county Division of Family and Children Services office early Friday.

"Bryan says authorities later found 50-year-old Lyle Charles dead of a self-inflicted gunshot.

"Charles was woman's estranged husband, and authorities believe he killed her before shooting himself. Police found the man dead inside his car.

"After the shooting, officials placed two Phenix City schools on alert because the suspect's stepchild attends one and the man had privileges to check out the child.

"Officials say there's no indication the gunman got near the schools."

From chron.com...

Deadly Day Off

"VANCOUVER, WA — Two men died Monday in a workplace shooting at a paint distribution warehouse in Vancouver. A company employee reportedly shot a manager, and police say it appears he later turned the gun on himself.

"The shooting was reported at 11:29 a.m. Monday at Benjamin Moore Paints, 1800 W. Fourth Plain Blvd. The business is located in the Westside Business Center, a multi-tenant building on the city’s industrial west side.

"A caller to 911 reported that an employee of the business had come to work on his day off and shot his boss, according to emergency radio traffic.

"Ryan Momeny, 45, a logistics manager at the warehouse, was reported lying on the ground in front of another business in the complex. He died at the scene, according to Vancouver police.

"After police arrived, they quickly located and surrounded a parked 2001 red Acura described as belonging to the shooter. It was in the parking lot of the complex near the intersection of 28th and Thompson streets. Police could see the Acura’s windows fogging, but got no response from the person inside the car, according to radio traffic.

"After breaking out the Acura’s window, they approached and saw a man deceased inside the car. He was later identified by Vancouver police as Robert R. Brown, 64, a driver for the company.

"Vancouver police said they don't suspect any other shooter was involved."

Read more at TheColumbian...

Two Dead, One Hurt In Clinic Shooting

"WEST PALM BEACH, FL — A dispute at a medical office turned fatal Thursday afternoon when a gunman killed one person, seriously injured another and then committed suicide, authorities said.

"Investigators believe the gunman was having a business appointment with a woman at Doctor’s Choice Medical Center on 4670 Forest Hill Boulevard around 4:30 p.m. Thursday when he got angry and shot her. He also shot and killed a man who was at the meeting but does not work at the medical office.

"Then the gunman shot and killed himself, said Teri Barbera, sheriff’s spokeswoman.

"`What we believe is that this individual knows these two people,` Barbera said. `He came in to have a business discussion with them, a personal business discussion. It got heated.`

"The woman was flown by Trauma Hawk to Delray Medical Center, said Capt. Albert Borroto, spokesman for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Her condition was not known late Thursday.

"Investigators spent hours gathering evidence at the shooting scene, an older shopping center just west of Military Trail in suburban West Palm Beach, as nurses and other employees of the medical office looked on in horror. Many had fled the medical office as shots were fired."

Read more at Palm Beach Post...

Gawkers Descend On Scene Of Murder/Suicide

"HENDERSON, NC — A 28-year-old Henderson woman died late Thursday after being shot inside a Vance County BP station by a man who subsequently turned the gun on himself, authorities said.

"According to authorities, Brooke Patrice Lewis entered the store, which is about a mile south of Henderson on N.C. Highway 39 South, at about 8 p.m. seeking refuge from Shawn O'Brian Henry, 31.

"Henry, also of Henderson, followed Lewis inside and shot her before shooting himself, investigators said.

"The manager of the South Vance Food Mart told WRAL News that the pair had been arguing outside the store prior to the shooting. Following the shooting, a crowd gathered at the store.

"Some were crying, some were screaming and some circled to pray outside the store.

"Authorities did not release more details about the incident."

From WRAL...

Botched Murder/Suicide Sends Two Men To Hospital

"WICHITA, KS — Two people have been hospitalized after a shooting at a gift store on Douglas near East High School on Thursday afternoon, police said.

"The shooting was reported at 2:15 p.m. at the Flying Pig Gift Boutique at Douglas and Green, authorities said.

"Capt. Hassan Ramzah gave this account of the incident:

"A man went into the Flying Pig carrying a shotgun and asking whether a particular person was in the store. He approached two women, asking about the person, and they exited through a back door. At least one customer was in the store.

"The gunman, in his 30s, allegedly shot a man in his 40s in the legs. He then shot himself in the head.

"Both men were taken to Wesley Medical Center. The suspect was in critical condition, and the victim was in serious condition, Ramzah said.

"Ramzah described the situation as possible domestic violence, in which the gunman was possibly an ex-boyfriend of a woman and the victim was the current boyfriend of the woman.

"Police were not looking for any other suspects in connection with the shooting."

From kansas.com...

Nail Salon Shooter Found Dead In Parking Lot

"WEST NEW YORK, NJ — A man and woman who have three children were both killed last night, the woman shot in the West New York nail salon where she worked and the man found dead in a nearby municipal parking lot, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed.

"Investigators classified the deaths as a murder/suicide.

"The woman was shot in the head at Solo Nails, at Bergenline Avenue and 50th Street, around 5 p.m. and the man, who sources said had a history of domestic violence, was found dead a short time later in the parking lot off Bergenline between 51st and 52nd streets.

"The nail salon’s owner was also pistol-whipped during the attack, Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Gene Rubino said.

"Rubino said the man, 39, called the woman, 36, and arrived at the salon a few minutes later.

"Also in the store were the couple’s 17-year-old son, the owner and two customers, he said.

"The man may have scuffled with the woman and then fired two shots, hitting her in the head, said Rubino. The man then scuffled with the owner before pistol-whipping him and ran out of the store, he said.

"The man’s body was then found in the parking lot with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Rubino."

Read more at nj.com...

No Known Motive In Medical Center Rampage

"RENO, NV — Police think a suicidal gunman was on a mission of violence when he calmly entered a third-floor urology office and opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun, killing one doctor, critically wounding another and shooting a third victim after warning patients and their children in a waiting area to `get out.`

"A witness who was among those the shooter passed in the waiting room told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the man believed to be from Northern California could have killed many more people at the Reno medical complex if that was his intent.

"Detectives have not been able to establish a motive or any relationship the man may have had with the two doctors and the relative of a patient who were shot Tuesday before the gunman killed himself.

"`While we piece this thing together, we are trying to figure out what that relationship is, if there is a relationship at all,` Reno Deputy Police Chief Mac Venzo said.

"`But the fact the shooter went through the first and second floor, made his way to the third floor of the building, would indicate to me it is not a random event,` he told reporters at police headquarters.

"Police were withholding the name of the killer because they said they still have not been able to reach his next of kin."

Read more at Fox News...

Two Dead After Gunfire In Law Office

"OREGON, WI — A Madison couple are dead following what appears to be a murder/suicide Thursday afternoon in the town of Oregon.

"A 68-year-old man shot and killed his 63-year-old girlfriend, then killed himself, inside a law firm that also is a home, according to Dane County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Elise Schaffer.

"Deputies were called to the home office in the 1500 block of Storytown Road just before 3:30 p.m. and were still on the scene of the shooting at 5:30 p.m., Sheriff Dave Mahoney said.

"`A client and an associate were at the residence, male and female, for legal matters, and during the course of the meeting, the male pulled a firearm and shot the female, and then shot himself,` Mahoney said.

"Mahoney said he did not know how many shots were fired.

"Both died from their injuries, he said. `A homicidal gunshot wound, and what appears to be a suicide.`

"A Dane County medical examiner pronounced the couple dead at the scene, and autopsies will be performed Friday, Schaffer said."

Read more at the Wisconsin State Journal...

"It's A Very Bizarre Incident"

"CLARKS SUMMIT, PA — A nurse has apparently shot dead a 79-year-old patient at the nursing home where she worked before turning the gun on herself.

"In a case that has baffled investigators, Aimee Larkin, a 42-year-old licensed nurse from Dunmore, Pennsylvania apparently brought a semi-automatic handgun to her night shift at Abington Manor in Clarks Summit on Monday.

"Shortly before 5.30pm, she fatally shot Howard Kinney in the chest before shooting herself in the head, South Abington Township Police Chief Robert Gerrity said. Other workers found the bodies.

"Investigators have said they have no idea why Larkin would carry out the murder-suicide.

"`We're actively investigating this, conducting a lot of interviews, but right now we're at a loss, actually, as to what the motive was,` he said.

"He said investigators don't know whether the weapon was hers and said that it was unclear whether their relationship went beyond that of caregiver and patient.

"They did not leave a note and employees at Abington Manor said they haven't noticed any unusual behavior from the nurse or the patient.

"`It's a very bizarre incident,` Gerrity said, adding that `we may never know` the motive.

"Larkin had worked there since 2011 and her Facebook profile appears to indicate that she was married. Kinney, from Overfield Township, had lived there for about two years."

Source: Daily Mail [UK]...